Program Costs
Washington is more expensive than Davis. While university tuition fees for the Washington Program are the same as for a quarter on campus, the cost of living in Washington is much higher. Actual costs vary, depending on the individual; everyone has different spending habits. Estimates of total expenses range from $2000 to $3000 more than a quarter in Davis.
The biggest cost Davis students face during their quarter in Washington is housing. Typically, housing costs are approximately $2500-$3000 for the quarter, very reasonable by Washington standards, especially considering the location and caliber of safety and security of the Washington Center.
Summer: In addition to housing costs, summer participants, who take the course offering, pay the summer sessions rate per unit plus an application fee. (Summer 2006: $952) The non-credit internship-only option has a program fee of $200; no other university fees must be paid.
To help defray costs, the Washington Program provides some additional financial aid and awards. Students should take the following expenses into consideration:
- Housing
- Air Fare
- Professional Attire
- Transportation Around DC
- Food
- Entertainment
Student Financial Aid
If you currently receive financial aid, your financial aid package can be increased based on the higher cost of living in Washington, DC. If you do not currently receive financial aid, the higher cost of living in Washington may make you eligible during the quarter you participate in the Washington Program. If you have questions about your eligibility, contact
Lorie Trapani in the Financial Aid office.
UC Davis Washington Program Financial Aid Awards
In addition to standard financial aid provided by the university, the UC Davis Washington Program offers several awards each year. You must be eligible for financial aid in order to receive these awards (exception: Building Bridges Award, see below).
- Joyce and Norman Weil Scholarship
The Joyce and Norman Weil Scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate student in the College of Letters and Sciences who has demonstrated leadership potential and political acumen and whose UC Davis Washington Program internship is in Congress or the White House. Click here for more information. - University of California President's Washington Scholarship
The UC President's Washington Scholarship provides financial assistance for eligible middle-income and financially needy students participating in the Washington Program who meet the following requirements established by the UC Office of the President. Students must: qualify for financial aid as determined by University financial aid offices; have been accepted by the UC Davis Washington Program; return to UC Davis for at least one quarter after participating in the program; and have a GPA of 3.0 or above. - Washington Program Opportunity Award
The Washington Program Opportunity Award is part of the University's Pre-Graduate Mentorship Program, which facilitates research-related opportunities for economically disadvantaged students.
The Blanche and Frank Goldstein Building Bridges Award
The Blanche and Frank Goldstein Building Bridges Award will be granted to up to two students per quarter whose goals, while in the Washington Program, demonstrate an interest in increasing understanding and communication among disparate racial, ethnic and class groups. Student goals will be reflected in planned applications for internships, proposed research topics, or other intended activities in Washington, DC. Applicants for this scholarship program will be evaluated on the basis of how closely their goals for the quarter in Washington, DC match the ideals expressed in the lifelong work of Blanche and Frank Goldstein.
Each grant is for $500
Requirements of the award: You do NOT need to be eligible for financial aid in order to receive this award.
- In Washington, DC
While in Washington, DC each grantee will have the opportunity to meet and have lunch with Michael Goldstein, a Professor at UC Berkeley and the Director of the UCB Semester in Washington Program. Professor Goldstein will also be available to help with DC internship placements.
- In Davis, CA
The quarter following completion of the Washington Program, there will be a dinner at the Hillel House honoring the grantees. The grantees will be invited to speak about their experience in Washington and how it related to the goals of the Blanche and Frank Goldstein Building Bridges Award.
Important dates:
| Quarter |
Application Deadline |
Notified |
Winter 2008 |
November 15, 2007 |
December 2007 |
Spring 2008 |
February 2008 |
March 2008 |
Fall 2008 |
August 2008 |
September 2008 |
Application Procedure:
Please write a one to two page essay explaining what you hope to do during your quarter in Washington D.C. and how this relates to the spirit of the Blanche and Frank Goldstein Building Bridges Award. The essay should be e-mailed to Joaquin Feliciano at jbfeliciano@ucdavis.edu.
Click here read more about the Building Bridges Award.